Things To See & Do
This Scottish island is perhaps most famous for its whisky – pay a visit to one , two or more of its eight working distilleries. Take a tour and learn more about the distillation process or educate your palate by sampling & discerning the subtle differences between Islay’s unique peaty malts. In contrast, Islay is also a haven for hill-walkers and bird-watchers: it is home to the huge Loch Gruinart bird sanctuary with its vast numbers of migrating geese.
In the island capital, Bowmore, you can visit the unusual Round Church (no corners for the devil to hide in!). If history is your thing, the Museum of Island Life in Port Charlotte is fascinating, as are the ruins of Finlaggan, once home to the Macdonald chiefs, while Kildalton Chapel, with its early Christian cross, stands proud by the shore.
Travelling To & Around
There are regular ferry services to Islay from Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula and up to two flights per day between Glasgow and Islay. We can arrange both ferry-based trips and fly-drive holidays, for those with more limited time.
Easily accessible for day-trips are the neighbouring islands of Jura – whose rugged scenery is populated by more deer than people – and pretty Colonsay (specific days only) which boasts spectacular Kiloran Bay.
Islay also combines well in a number of island- and peninsula-hopping holidays, with Kintyre, Arran and tiny Gigha.
